By Elizabeth Suh
The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon)
Copyright 2006 The Oregonian
All Rights Reserved
A man who was apparently the victim of a random stabbing on a Portland MAX platform survived because an out-of-state paramedic happened to be there waiting for a train, police said.
Randall Toole, 50, was riding the train Thursday night when a stranger struck up a conversation, he told police.
Toole was getting off at the Rose Quarter MAX station about 10 p.m. when the man ran up behind him and stabbed him five times with a 4-inch knife, according to an affidavit on the case.
Toole ran away and collapsed at the south end of the Rose Garden arena. The off-duty paramedic from Reno, Nev., immediately administered first aid, said Sgt. Brian Schmautz of the Portland Police Bureau.
Bystanders waved down a police officer, who found the suspect, identified as Michael Everett Cole, 40, sitting cross-legged on the sidewalk. He was charged with one count of first degree assault.
Investigators have not determined a motive for the attack, Schmautz said, but do not think Cole was under the influence of any substances.
According to the affidavit, Cole told police he believed Toole was a threat to him and admitted stabbing him.
Toole was stabbed in the back, abdomen and thigh. He was listed in fair condition Friday evening at Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center.
Schmautz said the incident was unusual because most assaults occur between people who know each other.
A Cirque du Soleil performance at the Rose Quarter ended around the time of the incident. Police were able to interview several witnesses from a crowd, Schmautz said.
Tim Garling, director of safety and security for TriMet, said aggravated assaults on the bus and train system are rare and have not increased lately.
In the past 12 months, the system has reported 43 aggravated assaults, which usually involve a weapon, out of about 95 million rides, Garling said.